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CONGRESS MAY RETURN IN DEC FOR AUTO RESCUE, SENATORS SAY
Congress will adjourn this week without passing legislation to extend emergency loans to U.S. auto makers but could return in December if the car companies present a "viable" plan for their survival, top Democratic lawmakers say. A "compromise" plan worked out by a bipartisan group of senators to extend loans to the industry through an existing Department of Energy program appears dead. GM shares up 7%, while Ford rises 5%.
US JOBLESS CLAIMS RISE TO HIGHEST LEVEL IN 16 YEARS
The number of U.S. workers filing for new unemployment benefits jumps by 27,000 in the week, far worse than economists' expectations of an 11,000 drop and the highest level in 16 years, suggesting more pain ahead for struggling labor markets.
US STOCKS IN STEEP SLIDE AFTER RALLY SPUTTERS
U.S. stocks are dropping sharply in the last hour of trading as markets cast a cold eye on reports that a bipartisan group of senators has reached a preliminary agreement on a loan for Detroit's auto makers and as Citigroup plunges. The DJIA is down 230 points.